“It was definitely more challenging that last year,” said Bender, set to make her fourth appearance at state, but her first as the team’s top No. 1 singles player.

She battled from behind in many of her matches during the regional tournament and that added something new to the feeling of advancing to the season’s final weekend.

“State will be a huge challenge and I’m just fortunate to make it past regionals,” she said. “I’m feeling pretty lucky right now.”

She’ll have plenty of company. In addition to the team’s regional champions, the Sailors qualified three more entries, meaning the entire team will make the trip next week to play in Pueblo.

Lorenzen placed second at No. 2 singles, falling in the championship, 6-1, 1-6, 4-6. Lily Petersen and Maddie Thompson lost in the championship round but defended their spot at state in a playback match to earn the trip at No. 2 doubles, winning to secure the spot, 6-2, 6-2.

Finally, the No. 4 doubles team with Jessie Selby and Emma Wilson had to dig deep to earn that trip to state. They finished third, which would have left them out, but won a playback opportunity, 6-2, 6-4.

“It means a lot to be on a team going to state,” Labor said. “It’s humbling. You don’t think you’re going to go, and when you finally get it, you’re really excited and happy that all the work paid off.”

Steamboat finished with 85 points, ahead of Montrose in second with 43 and Aspen, third with 41.

“From the start of the season to where these kids are right now, these kids showed as much improvement as I’ve ever seen from any young team,” Steamboat coach John Aragon said. “We had six girls in the regional tournament who had never been there before and boy did they handle the pressure well.”